Las Vegas, Facebook, Tom Petty: 5 things that happened Monday

by Eleanor Mueller, Sinclair Broadcast Group

Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip near Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Looking to get caught up on the news, fast? Here are the five most newsworthy things that happened Monday, covered by the Sinclair stations you trust every day.

1. Gunman kills at least 59

A white male gunman opened heavy fire from the 32nd-floor of a Las Vegas hotel late Sunday, raining bullets on the country music festival below and killing at least 59 in what many are calling the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

A partial list (along with photos) of those who lost their lives -- many while defending others -- can be found here.

2. Facebook surrenders Russia-linked ads

Facebook turned over more than 3,000 ads purchased by a Russian entity Monday to the congressional committees investigating interference in the 2016 presidential election.

In a statement, Vice President of Global Public Policy Joel Kaplan disclosed the release and laid out the company's ongoing efforts to address the matter.

3. Media reports Tom Petty dead

News outlets published obituaries, stars posted condolences and organizers scheduled a tribute after CBS News reported that rockstar Tom Petty had died at 66 following a cardiac arrest.

However, the report's headline was later changed after its source -- the Los Angeles Police Department -- said publicly that it had no knowledge as to the star's well-being.

4. Equifax reveals hack's true scope

Equifax said the number of Americans who may have been affected by the massive security breach of its systems is now 145.5 million.

The updated number comes as Equifax's former CEO prepares to testify in front of Congress Tuesday.

5. U.S. diplomats in Cuba attacked

Unusual attacks on U.S. personnel in Havana compromised America’s spy network in Cuba, with diplomats in the intelligence field some of the first affected victims, The Associated Press reported.

To date, the Trump administration largely has described the 21 victims -- who have reported hearing strange noises and other bizarre symptoms -- as U.S. embassy personnel or “members of the diplomatic community.”